Military

Further Reading

2S7 203-mm Self-Propelled Gun

The large 2S7 chassis is the largest armored vehicle in the current Russian inventory, with seven dual rubber-tired road wheels, drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear. Six track-return rollers support the inside of the track only. Large stowage boxes are mounted along either side of the hull. The fully enclosed forward crew compartment accomodates the commander, driver and two other crew members. A large rear-mounted hydraulic spade is lowered to the ground before firing. Standard equipment includes an overpressure NBC protection system and night vision equipment.

The 203-mm gun, which lacks either a fume extractor or a muzzle brake, is mounted at the rear of the hull. One piston of the recoil brake and recuperator is located on the gun with the other two pistons beneath, limiting recoil to a maximum of 1400-mm. The 203-mm gun is held in position when traveling by a manually operated lock on top of the cab. The 203-mm rifled gun, designated the 2A44, is fitted with a screw type breech block fitted with a large power-assisted loader. The 2S7 ammunition-handling system enables a rate of fire of 2 rds/min to be achieved.

Ammunition is of the separate loading type, with a total of four projectiles and charges being carried for immediate use. The remainder of the ammunition load is carried by another vehicle, usually a truck. The standard HE round, designated the ZOF 43, weighs 43 kg with a maximum muzzle velocity of 960 m/s and a maximum range of 37.5 km.

In addition to the HE projectile other types of projectile can reportedly be fired including concrete-piercing, tactical nuclear and possibly chemical.